The Danakil Depression and Erta Ale form an extreme volcanic and desert landscape in northeastern Ethiopia, featuring colorful sulfur springs at Dallol, vast white salt flats, and Erta Ale’s active permanent lava lake.

Erta Ale is a continuously active shield volcano in the Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia, which is itself part of the wider Afar Triangle. The volcano is located in the Danakil Depression, an area on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea that is below sea level.